To mark the National Day Against Depression, celebrated on 23 February, we invite you to a meeting about art and psychotherapy. It will be attended by artist Paweł Błęcki and psychotherapist Agnieszka Pixie Frączek. His own art and his therapy have become a common area for Paweł Błęcki. In his oeuvre, he consciously reveals fragments of his personal, difficult experience, and in therapy he uses creative methods. One of the key concepts that he supports in his artistic practice is post-traumatic growth, which recognises painful experiences as transformative for personal progress and self-esteem, applying the language of visual arts and writing. What follows from this convergence of the field of art and therapy? Based on this example, how can the two fields be viewed more broadly? Are there any real benefits to be gained here by those seeking support in life's difficulties? During the meeting we will jointly reflect on these questions, sharing our own experience.

participants: Paweł Błęcki, Agnieszka Pixie Frączek

moderator: Kinga Mistrzak

Paweł Błęcki - visual artist, author of objects and installations, photographer, initiator and organiser of participatory activities. Lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. Graduate of the Doctoral School at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Intermedia at UAP and Photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. He also studied Archaeology and Cultural Studies at the University of Gdańsk and Photography at the FAMU Film School in Prague. His art explores topics related to psychoeducation, mental wellbeing and psychology. She focuses moreover on issues of shared care, ecology, sociology and politics. Co-founder of the art and research group Biuro Wspólnej Aktywności (Office of Common Action), which aims to popularise good practice in the area of accessibility and production in the arts. Co-founder of the artistic and activist collective Wspólnota Międzygatunkowa+, working for nature conservation. His works have been shown, among others, at the CCA Łaźnia in Gdańsk, BWA in Wrocław, BWA in Zielona Góra, CSW Kronika in Bytom, Gdańsk City Gallery, Centre for Polish Sculpture in Orońsko, Museum of Art in Łódź, the Narrations Festival, and the Survival Festival.

Agnieszka Pixie Frączek - Gestalt psychotherapist, therapist of relational, gender and sexual diversity. For several years also a trainer at the Wielkopolska School of Gestalt Psychotherapy. Provides therapy for individuals, couples and persons in polyamorous relationships. She dedicates a large part of her work to LGBTQ+ people, supporting transgender people and their families.

Kinga Mistrzak – culture animator, educator, conducts workshops and individual sessions of Internal Family System, currently in training at the Wielkopolska School of Gestalt Psychotherapy. She has a degree in Cognitive Science (A. Mickiewicz University, Poznań) and Intermedia (University of the Arts Poznań). In charge of social projects and programs at the Arsenał Municipal Gallery Poznań.